We stopped in Oshawa for dinner after being delayed by a nearby accident and chose Portly Piper Pub…read morebased on its 3,000+ reviews and 4.3-star rating. Parking seemed limited at first, but there's more available in the back. Just a tip: be careful not to miss the entrance, since exiting is a one-way street and re-entering can be tricky.
We arrived around 6:45 pm and saw a small line with two groups ahead, but the place is much bigger than it looks from the outside and we were seated quickly in a comfortable booth for four. The pub was clean, and I was especially surprised at how spacious and tidy the washrooms were--not what I usually expect from a pub, which tend to feel older and worn.
The menu is huge, and TVs are everywhere--even in our booth. Between us, we tried a good range of dishes:
1. Caprese Salad with Steak - nicely balanced with pesto, though the steak was a little dry.
2. Fish and Chips - incredible portion for $18! Crispy, perfectly cooked fish with fries, coleslaw, and even a Caesar salad. The fries were well-seasoned (no ketchup needed), coleslaw was enjoyable despite me usually not liking it, and the Caesar was delicious.
3. Mexican Salad - flavorful, fresh, and generous in portion.
4. Tuesday Wing Special - wings were $0.90 each, so I ordered 15 with a Coke Zero. The garlic Parmesan was disappointing--dry and lacking flavor--but the Buffalo ranch wings were tender and spot-on.
Service was friendly, though our waitress could have been more proactive with drink and water refills.
Overall, I was impressed. Clean space, huge portions, good value, and a welcoming pub atmosphere. Definitely a solid stop if you're in the area.